Think of SpringHill Suites as Holiday Inn’s bougie younger sister – a bit more upscale, modern, and high-end. Meanwhile, Holiday Inn Express is the reliable, no-frills budget hotel option perfect for cost-conscious travelers.
But there’s a lot more that separates these two Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG) relatives. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty details on everything from room amenities and decor to free breakfast, fitness centers, pet policies, and more. By the end, you’ll know exactly which brand fits your vibe.
Room Amenities – What Amenities Do SpringHill Suites and Holiday Inn Express Offer?
Amenities are probably the biggest difference between these suite hotels. SpringHill goes above and beyond with:
– Separate living room with pull-out sofa bed
– Mini-fridge and microwave in every room
– Luxury bedding and bathroom amenities
– Modern, stylish decor with pops of color
– Workspace with ergonomic chair
Meanwhile, Holiday Inn Express rooms are more basic with:
– Combined sleeping/living area
– Basic bathroom amenities
– Functional but dated decor
– Some rooms have mini-fridges
So if you want an elevated, residential-style suite setup, SpringHill is gonna be more your vibe. But if you just need an affordable room to crash for the night, Holiday Inn Express has you covered.
Free Breakfast – Is the “Express Start” Breakfast as Good as SpringHill’s?
In my experience, the free breakfast offerings at these hotels are worlds apart. SpringHill has a legitimately good hot breakfast buffet with rotating options like:
– Eggs, breakfast meats, and potatoes
– Waffles, oatmeal, yogurt, and fruit
– Breakfast sandwiches and burritos
– Fresh pastries and bread
– Coffee, juice, and more
Holiday Inn Express, on the other hand, has a very basic continental “Express Start” breakfast with options like:
– Packaged muffins and granola bars
– Fruit, yogurt, and cereal
– Coffee and juice
For the full hot breakfast experience, SpringHill Suites is definitely the way to go. But if you’re just looking for a quick bite to get you started in the morning, Holiday Inn’s spread gets the job done.
Insider Tip – Ask About Free Breakfast Bags at Holiday Inn
One cool perk at Holiday Inn Express is the free breakfast bags they offer. These have basic grab-and-go items like:
– Muffins or granola bars
– Fresh fruit
– Bottled water or juice
Super clutch if you’re in a rush to hit the road or catch an early flight. Just ask the front desk and they’ll hook you up with a quick breakfast to-go!
Pools, Gyms, and Other Amenities
Both of these hotels have standard amenities like small indoor pools, basic fitness centers, free WiFi, and business centers.
However, SpringHill Suites ups the ante with additional extras like:
– Outdoor patios and grilling areas
– Basketball/sports courts
– Modern meeting and event spaces
– Lobby bars at some locations
So SpringHill is gonna give you that “resort-lite” experience with more facilities and activities to enjoy downtime. Holiday Inn Express is no-frills but has all the basics covered if you just need a clean, comfortable place to sleep.
Pet Policies – Can You Bring Your Furry Friend?
Need to travel with your dog or cat? The good news is that both SpringHill Suites and Holiday Inn Express are pet-friendly hotels. However, their policies differ:
At SpringHill Suites:
– $75-100 pet fee per stay
– Up to 2 pets allowed
– No breed or weight restrictions
At Holiday Inn Express:
– $25-50 pet fee per night
– 1 pet allowed, under 50 lbs
– Some locations don’t allow pets
So if you’re traveling with multiple pets or have a larger dog, SpringHill is usually the more accommodating choice. The higher pet fee is a bummer, but could be worth it depending on your fur baby’s needs.
Price – Which Hotel is More Affordable?
Obviously room rates can vary wildly by location and travel dates. But in general, you can expect SpringHill Suites to be around 20-30% pricier than Holiday Inn Express on average.
For example, a quick search shows SpringHill rooms around $150-200/night, while Holiday Inn Express is typically $100-150/night for similar destinations and dates.
So if budget is your top priority, Holiday Inn Express will almost always be the more affordable choice for those wallet-friendly basics. But SpringHill’s higher rates come with a noticeably elevated experience if you want to splurge a bit.
Loyalty Programs – An Easy Way to Score Free Nights
Since both hotels are part of IHG, you can rack up points for free night stays through their shared rewards program:
– IHG One Rewards: Earn points for every $1 spent
– Get elite perks like room upgrades
– Easy to earn free nights fast at lower-tier brands
Having IHG status opens up potential for free stays at both SpringHill and Holiday Inn. Just something to keep in mind if you prefer one brand but can score a cheap/free stay at the other through rewards!
Locations – Where Can You Find Each Hotel?
Both SpringHill Suites and Holiday Inn Express have a strong presence with locations spanning:
– All 50 U.S. states
– Major cities and suburbs
– Top travel destinations and airports
– Rural areas along major highways
However, Holiday Inn Express simply has way more properties overall – around 2,600 globally compared to just 400+ SpringHill Suites. So you’ll generally have more location options for Holiday Inn if availability is limited in your travel destination.
Extended Stay Options
One area where SpringHill Suites shines is its focus on accommodations for extended stays. Many properties specifically cater to longer-term travel with options like:
– Studio suites with full kitchens
– On-site laundry facilities
– Grocery shopping services
– Social events and activities
So if you need a home base for weeks or months at a time, a SpringHill Suite property could be ideal for that residential, home-away-from-home feel during your extended stay.
The Verdict – SpringHill Suites vs Holiday Inn Express
At the end of the day, both SpringHill Suites and Holiday Inn Express make solid options depending on your travel priorities, budget, and accommodation needs. Here’s a quick recap:
Go with SpringHill Suites if you want:
✅ Residential-style suite setup
✅ Thoughtful decor and amenities
✅ Hot breakfast buffet included
✅ Outdoor spaces and activities
✅ Extended stay/long-term options
✅ More pet-friendly policies
But stick with Holiday Inn Express for:
✅ No-frills affordable pricing
✅ Basic rooms to sleep and go
✅ More location availability
✅ Earning IHG rewards easily
✅ Free “Express Start” breakfast
Personally, I tend to lean towards SpringHill Suites when my budget allows. I find the residential suite setup, hot breakfast perk, and little extra amenities are worth the higher price point.
But Holiday Inn Express definitely hits the mark for budget-friendly basics when I’m just looking for an affordable, no-frills place to crash for a night or two. Can’t beat those rates!
No matter which one you pick, hopefully this breakdown gives you all the key details to make the best decision for your travel needs and budget. Safe travels!
Conclusion
In conclusion, when it comes to the SpringHill Suites vs Holiday Inn Express debate, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Both hotel chains offer quality accommodations, but cater to slightly different audiences and priorities.
SpringHill Suites is the more upscale, amenity-rich option with residential-style suites, hot breakfast buffets, and extras like pools and outdoor spaces. You’ll pay a premium, but get an elevated experience tailored for longer stays.
Holiday Inn Express, on the other hand, keeps things affordable with no-frills rooms and basic free breakfast. It’s a reliable budget choice for those who just need a clean, comfortable place to sleep.
At the end of the day, your decision should come down to your travel style, budget,
Continued conclusion:
At the end of the day, your decision between SpringHill Suites and Holiday Inn Express should come down to your travel priorities, budget, and accommodation needs.
If you prioritize an elevated, home-away-from-home experience with thoughtful amenities and extras like hot breakfast buffets, separate living areas, and resort-style facilities, then SpringHill Suites is well worth the premium price tag. The residential suite setup and long-term stay options also make SpringHill an excellent choice for extended travels, temporary relocations, or any situation where you’ll be staying for weeks or months at a time.
However, if you’re a no-frills traveler mostly concerned with finding an affordable yet clean and comfortable place to sleep, Holiday Inn Express will meet your needs at a wallet-friendly rate. While the rooms and amenities are basic, you can’t beat Holiday Inn for sheer value and accessibility with its widespread locations. The brand is also ideal for earning IHG rewards that can score you free future stays.
Ultimately, there is no definitively “better” option between these two IHG hotel chains. They simply cater to different travel preferences and budgets. By weighing your unique priorities against the key differences outlined in this guide, you can confidently determine whether the extra frills of SpringHill Suites or the budget basics of Holiday Inn Express is the better fit for your next hotel stay.
No matter which brand you choose, be sure to leverage IHG’s rewards program to rack up points towards free nights. You may find that splurging on the elevated SpringHill experience every now and then is easier than expected when you’ve got a stash of rewards in your account!